Apparatus and method for applying objects to sheet members



July 22, 1969 J. M. ROSENSTEIN 3,457,131

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING OBJECTS TO SHEET MEMBERS Filed April 21, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGQI INVENTOR. JERRY M. ROSENSTEIN BY Meqmjdnm; a Back;

ATTORNEYS July 22, 1969 J. M. ROSENSTEIN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING OBJECTS TO SHEET MEMBERS Filed April 21, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

JERRY M. ROSENSTEIN Mega, 7:14am; & Body ATTORNEYS 3,457,131 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING OBJECTS TO SHEET MEMBERS Filed April 21, 1966 Ju y 1969 J..M. ROSENSTEIN 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. JERRY M. ROSENSTEIN ATTORNEYS July 22, 1969 J. M. ROSENSTEIN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING OBJECTS IO SHEET MEMBERS Filed April 21, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNVENTOR. JERRY M. ROSENSTEIN BY IO N Mew, 7416mm; g 80%;

ATTORNEYS y 22, 1969 J. M. ROSENSTEIN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING OBJECTS TO SHEET MEMBERS Filed April 21, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 m om m mm 19:: 7 mmwzmw E5 ATTORNEYS J y 1969 J. M. ROSENSTEIN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING OBJECTS TO SHEET MEMBERS Filed April 21, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 M M 4 l W 3 c 4 c 5 6 m 8 9i 9 9 9 9 m MU m J n@ o 6).. m 8 m a 4 A- m M MN .I 8 w m 1 m B ll ln 6 .l 5 C H m E L w U T 9 I 3 s m fi w m m 5/ L m 0 C (1 2 2/: R m 0 w R 2 T E D P R J 3 H R w w m m w G i 5 c m E A m MT 8 W NR H C R V L T L TO SN E W E N N 0 S N P A 0 8 S T O O S D 0 M R0 HC 0 L w H Rm H U EM D w A C C W AA C P W A U D U U T C U m N M s S U S A m c u v FIG. 6

INVENTOR. JERRY M. ROSENSTEIN M ww, a M,

ATTORNEYS United States Patent METHOD FOR APPLYING OBJECTS TO SHEET MEMBERS Jerry M. Rosenstein, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignor to American Greetings Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 544,215 Int. Cl. B32b 31/12 US. Cl. 156295 APPARATUS AND 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to the art of applying objects to sheet members and, more particularly, to method and apparatus therefor.

ice

Accordingly, it is seen that manual application of decorative objects to greeting cards lends itself to mechanization for greater quality control, human safety, and economy in high production manufacture. A significant problem posed, however, in providing a machine for practicing the required process, is the control of the correct quantity of adhesive for applying decorative objects to cards. If too much adhesive is used it will spread out beyond the confines of the decorative object when the latter is applied to a card, presenting an unattractive appearance to a prospective purchaser. Conversely, if too little adhesive is used, the decorative object may not remain adhered to the card. Also, a machine for mechanizing the process of applying decorative objects to greeting cards should be capable of applying adhesive at an elevated temperature; for example, on the order of 275 F., in the correct quantity to each card for receiving a decorative object.

The invention is particularly applicable for use in con- The present invention is directed toward apparatus and method for applying objects to sheet members, whereby the noted disadvantages, and others, are overcome and the noted desirable needs of such an apparatus and method are satisfied.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus for applying objects to sheet members comprises an adhesive container having a supply of adhesive therein; an adhesive applicator movable between a position for receiving a quantity of adhesive from the container to a position for dispensing an adhesive spot on a sheet member, such as a greeting card; means for positioning the applicator between the receiving and dispensing portions; an object applicator for applying the objects to the adhesive spots on the sheet members; and, means, such as a conveyor belt, for conveying the sheet members sequentially to the adhsive applicator and the object applicator to receive adhesive spots and the objects to be secured to the sheet members.

tive objects; and, a supply of greeting cards to which the In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes means, such as a heater, for maintaining the adhesive at a temperature greater than that of the ambient or room temperature.

In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes means, such as a heater,

the "adhesive thereon, is placed on the card at a desired 1 position. The operator. then applies finger pressure to insure that the object is'positioned correctly, as well as to facilitate adhesion of the object to the card.

Manual application of decorative objects to greeting cards, as-discussed above, presents several disadvantages,

particularly so withrespect to high production manufacture: The operator inherently uses a 'different'quantit "of adhesive for applying each object to a card; Thus, for example, the operator may dip the tool'into the bowl filled with adhesive only once and use thatquantity of adhesive 3" for application of several objects to a number of greeting cards, whereby the first object is applied with a' greater quantity of adhesive than is the last.' In some applications, s'uch as a greeting card having a slick surface, the object may "slip laterally of the card surface Whenffinger pressure is applied, 'whereby the adhesive smears, leaving an unattractive view to the prospective purchaser. It i desirable for good adhesion characteristics that-thelad' hesive be maintained at a temperature substantially greater than that'of ambient or room temperature. The desired temperature, 'for' example, maybe onthe order 'of 275 F.; however, this is not practical, from a human safety standpoint,'for manual application of decorative objects to greeting cards.

for maintaining the adhesive applicator at a temperature approximately that of the adhesive.

In accordance with a still further aspect ofthe present invention, the object applicator includes means for'providing suction forces so that the applicator may receive and carry an object to a sheet member, and control means for controlling the suction forces so that an object may-be applied to a sheet member at an adhesivespot'thereon.

In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, the method of applying objects to 'sheetlmernbers includes the steps of providing 'a supply of objects to be applied to sheet members, such as greeting cards; providing a supply of adhesive for adhering theobjects to the. sheet members; maintaining the adhesive 'at ajtemperature greater than that of room temperature; conveying the sheet members sequentially to first and second po sitions; providing an adhesive'applicator; heating the art plicator to a temperature substantially that of the ad hesive; utilizing the heated applicator to receive heated adhesive from the adhesive supply and apply a spot'of adhesive to each sheet member when at the first-station; and, applying an object to an adhesive spot on a; sheet member when at the secondposition. H

In accordance with a still further aspect of the present I v invention, the method also includes the steps of alternately an adhesive spot to a sheet member at the first station, while at substantially the same time applying an object to an adhesive spot on another sheet member at the second station.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and method of applying decorative objects, and the like, to sheet members, such as greeting cards, at relatively high production rates so as to minimize manual labor and, hence, cost of manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and method so as to control the correct quantity of adhesive used in applying each decorative object to a greeting card.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and method whereby decorative objects may be quickly and correctly positioned in place on a greeting card without requiring manual operations.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and method whereby decorative objects may be accurately secured by adhesive to greeting cards, or the like.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and method whereby decorative objects may be applied to greeting cards with relatively hot adhesive without danger to human safety.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention as read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2, is a plan view, partly in section, of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view, partly in section, taken along line 44, looking in the direction of the arrows in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a graphical illustration of the sequence of operation of the invention; and,

FIGURE 6 is a schematic circuit illustrating the electrical controls of the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URE 1;

General arrangement Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly, to FIGURE 1 there is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus generally comprising a container A having a supply of adhesive therein; an adhesive applicator B movable between a position for receiving a quantity of adhesive from the container A to a position for dispensing an adhesive spot on'a greeting card; a decorative object supplier D providing a supply of decorative objects to be mounted on the greeting cards; an object applicator E movable between a position for receiving a decorative object from supplier D to a position for dispensing an object on a greeting card at an adhesive spot thereon; and, a conveyor F for conveying the greeting cards sequentially to, and stopping at, first and second stations where the adhesive applicator B applies an adhesive spot on a greeting card, and then the object applicator E applies an object on the adhesive spot.

The apparatus includes a rectangular, upright frame 10 suitably secured at its lower end to a base 11 and at it upper end to ,side members 12. The conveyor F is mounted to the side members 12. The adhesive applicator B and the object applicator E are respectively mounted between upwardly extending members 13 and 13'. Power means for driving conveyor F and applicators -B and E takes the form of a motor-gear structure 14, driving a chain-belt 15. The cards move from right to left, as viewed in FIGURES 1 through 3.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, belt 15 is connected at its upper end to a drive sprocket 16, which 14 rotates a drive shaft 17 journaled at opposite ends in side members 12. A secondary drive shaft 18, also journaled in side members 12, rotates at the same speed as the drive shaft 17, and is driven by drive shaft 17 through a train of gears 19, 20 and 21.

Drive shaft 17 carries a driving gear 22, just inwardly from the drive sprocket 16, which engages a free running gear 23 rotatably mounted upon a shaft 24. Shaft 24 carries a gear 25 which engages a conveyor shaft gear26 carried by a conveyor shaft 27. A clutch 28, actuatable by a solenoid 29 acting through arm means 30', clutches the free running gear 23 to the shaft 24 whereby the conveyor shaft 27 is caused to rotate through the gears 25 and 26. 7

As shown in FIGURE 4, the conveyor F comprises a pair of laterally adjustable side bars 31 having inwardly directed horizontal ledge members 32 for supporting opposite edges of a card C. Cards C are propelled by pairs of pusher elements 33 carried by endless chain belts 34. Belts 34 aredriven by conveyor shaft 27 through sprockets 35 on the shaft and guided at the right hand end of the machine, as viewed in FIGURE 3, by sprockets 36 on an idler shaft 37. In operation, clutch 28 is intermittently engaged to index cards C, moving from right to left, so as to sequentially stop at a first station for receiv-' ing an adhesive spot, and at a second station for receiving a decorative object upon the adhesive spot.

Adhesive applicator Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, applicator B, for applying an adhesive spot on a card at the first station, comprises a cam 40 carried by the secondary drive shaft 18to rotate therewith, and act upon a cam follower 41 carried by a cam follower arm 42 which is, in turn; pivotally mounted on a fixed shaft 43. Shaft 43 is provided with a gear 44 which engages a pinion 45 carried between the lower ends of the upwardly extending members 13. Pinion 45 is fixed on a shaft 46 which carries a pair of arms 47, having a carrier block 48 carried therebetween. As illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, arms'47 project horizontally toward the right with the carrier block 48 being also horizontally disposed and having its right hand end pivoted between the arms on a pin 49. The left hand end of the carrier block carries the lower end of a slide bar 50, slidably received by a guide 51 pivotally mounted on a shaft 52 carried between the upper ends of upwardly extending members 13. To the right of the slide bar 50, block 48 carries an electrically heated probe 53, which is adapted in the position shown to nearly touch the anvil 54. I 1

In operation, each rotation of the secondary drive shaft 18 causes a complete rotation of cam 40 which rocks gear 44 which, in turn, rotates pinion 45 in the opposite direction. This causes the probe 53 to swing between its adhesive applying, or right hand, position, illustrated by solid lines in.FIGURE 3, upwardly and over to its adhesive receiving, or left hand, position, illustrated by dotted lines in FIGURE 3, where one end of probe 53 dips into adhesive container A to receive a quantity of adhesive, after which it returns to the anvil 54 where it applies an adhesive spot to a card C. I

Preferably, the tip of probe 53, that serves to dip into adhesive container A and to apply an adhesive spot to a card C, is circular in cross section defining an area substantially smaller than the. adhesive contacting area of a decorative object to be applied to a card C. The decorative objects normally have a flat, adhesive contacting surface somewhat circular in cross section and may, for example,

1 have a diameter on the order of inch. The adhesive applying tip of probe 53 preferably hasa diameter on the order of /s that of the object, or for an objecthaving a 7 inch diameter, the diameter of the probe tip should be on the orderof inch. v V

The adhesive in container A is, preferably, solid at room temperature. Accordingly, container A includes a" heater, as will be described in greater detail'hereinafter with respect to the circuit diagram illustrated in FIGURE 6, which serves the purpose of maintaining the adhesive in a molten state at a temperature substantially above room temperature. The temperature maintained is.dependent somewhat on the characteristics of the adhesive itself, and, for example,may be on the order of 275 F. Although probe 53 could be maintained at approximately room temperature, it preferably is maintained at a temperature approximately that of the adhesive in container A. Otherwise, it is possible that when the probe tip is dipped and then removed from the adhesive container, adhesive will tend to adhere to both the probe tip and adhesive supply and become elongated as it stretches, resembling taffy candy when pulled apart. During a work production day, it may be desirable to fill the adhesive container A only once. However, it will be appreciated that the head of adhesive contained within the container decreases toward the end of the work day. Accordingly, container A is mounted on shaft 55, journaled in side members 12 for pivotal movement. A suitable adjustment handle 55' is secured to shaft 55 at one end thereof through gears, or the like, so that an operator may manually pivot container A throughout the day, as desired, to maintain the head of adhesive in the container at a desired level. This insures that each time that the tip of probe 53 is dipped into the adhesive, a regulated quantity of adhesive is received by the probe.

Decorative object applicator The decorative object applicator E is similar in construction and operation to adhesive applicator B, and comprises a cam 60 carried by drive shaft 17. Cam 60 serves to cam against a cam follower 61 carried at one end of a cam follower arm 62. Cam follower arm 62 is pivotally mounted on a fixed shaft 63 which carries a gear 64 meshing with a pinion 65. Pinion 65 is mounted on a shaft 66 having its opposite ends journaled in upwardly extending members 13. Shaft 66 carries horizontal arms 67 between which is disposed a carrier block 68 pivoted upon a pin 69. The left end of carrier block 68, as viewed in FIGURE 2, carries the lower end of a slide bar 70. Slide bar 70 is slidably received by a guide 71 pivotally mounted on a shaft 72 carried between the upper ends of the upwardly extending members 13.

Block 68 carries a spring biased suction nozzle 73, the lower end of which, in its object applying or right hand position, illustrated by solid lines in FIGURE 3, is dis posed immediately above an anvil 74. Rotation of cam 60 causes the suction nozzle 73 to travel asimilar path as described in connection with probe 53, so that its object receiving, or left hand, position, as illustrated by dotted lines in FIGURE 3, is at the end of a chute 75, supplied by a feed mechanism 76 of object supplier D.

Integral with the cam'follower arm 62 there is provided a stop arm 77 which projects toward the right, as viewed in FIGURE 3, and which is engageable by a catch member 78. Catch member 78 is pivotably mounted on a pin 79 and is actuated for pivotal movement by a solenoid 80 so that when said soelnoid 80 isenergized the catch member pivots in a counterclockwise direction,

as viewed'in FIGURE 3. The catch member hooks over 1 the end ofthe stop arm 77 and prevents the stop arm and, therefore, the gear 64 from rotating in counterclockwise direction back to the position where the suction nozzle 73 is disposed over anvil 74. This is to prevent the, suction nozzle from hearing down against a card C under certain circumstances. Suitable springs serve to bias the solenoids toward their unactuated positions and other springs maintain the cam follower arms 42 and 62 against cams 40 and 60, respectively.

To the right, as viewed inFIGURE 3; of adhesive ap- I 54, actuates switch 82 for a purpose to be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, main drive shaft 17 carries six cams 84, 85, 86, 87, 88 and 89. These cams, upon rotation of drive shaft 17, respectively cam against and actuate switches 91, 92, 93, 94, and 96 for synchroniz ing the operation of the machine, to be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

Electrical controls Referring now to the electrical diagram of FIGURE 6, power is supplied to the electrical control system by means of a voltage source V connected across leads L1 and L2. Upon closing a manual switch 100, located in lead L1, a panel light 101 is energized through lines 102 and 103. A heater 104, for heating the adhesive in container A, is energized by current flowing through line 105 connected at one end to lead L2 and at the other end thereof to a wiper arm of a heat regulator, such as a variable autotransformer, 106. Autotransformer 106 is connected across leads L1 and L2 by line 105'. A heater 107 for probe 53 is energized through a line 108 connected at one end to lead L2 and at the other end thereof to a wiper arm of a heat regulator, such as a variable autotransfor-mer, 109. The autotransformer 109 is connected across the leads L1 and L2 by a line 110. The motor 14 for running the conveyor and the cams is connected across the leads L1 and L2 by a line 111, but is not energized at this point because a series connected set of contacts MR-2 are in their normally open position. All of the circuits below the line 108 are also isolated at this point because a second manual switch 112 in the lead L1 is still open. After closing switch 100, the operator waits a sufficient time for the adhesive heater 104 and the probe heater 107 to attain operating temperature. When this is accomplished, the second manual switch 112 is closed, energizing a vacuum pump motor 113 connected across the leads L1 and L2 by a line 114. The suction is controlled by a suction valve in such a manner that at this point in the operation no suction occurs at the nozzle 73.

To start the machine, a manually operable, normally open start switch 115 in the line 102 is closed. This energizes a master relay MR disposed in the same line through a stop switch 117. The master relay MR closes a holding circuit including a pair of normally open contacts MR1 in a parallel line 118, connected around the start switch 115, whereby subsequent opening of the sta-rtswitch does not break the circuit to the master relay. The master relay also closes normally open contacts MR-Z in line 111 to energize the motor 14 andstart the operation of themachine. It will be readily understood that by depressing the stop switch 117, the master relay will be de-energized, thereby opening contacts MR-l and MR-,-2 to isolate the master relay and de-energize motor 14.

Operation sequence The first switch to close is switch 94, connected across leads L1 and L2 in a line- 119 in series with the clutch actuating solenoid 29. When the solenoid 29 is actuated, clutch release arm 30 (FIGURE 2) is pulled downwardly thereby allowing the clutch 28 to rotate and turn shaft 24. The actuation of the solenoid 29 by closing switch 94 is indicated at I on the sequence diagram,the dwell period lasting to II. Clutch release arm 30'disengages the clutch 28 after the shaft 24 has made acomple te revolution.- Therefore, each time solenoid 29 is energized, shaft 24 makes one complete revolution and this drives the conveyor to index a card along the distance between the two operating stations.

As shafts 17 and 18 and their cams 60 and 40, respectively, begin to rotate, probe 53 and suction nozzle 73 move from the positions shown by solid lines in FIGURE 3, upwardly and toward the left to the positions shown by dotted lines in FIGURE 3, for the purpose of receiving a quantity of adhesive on the probe and a decorative object on the nozzle. These movements are illustrated by the rising lines in FIGURE 5. The highest points on these lines indicate adhesive and object receiving positions of the probe and nozzle. The low points on these lines indicate the adhesive and object dispensing posi tions of the probe and nozzle.

The next switch to close is switch 93, disposedin a line 120 in series with a solenoid 121 of the aforementioned suction valve and a pair of normally closed latching contacts LR-1. Contacts LR-l normally remain closed while solenoid 121 is energized, so that suction is provided to pick up a decorative object, as indicated at III in FIG- URE 5. It will be noted at this point that the dwell period for the switch 93 continues until the suction nozzle has returned to the right hand, or object, dispensing position where it deposits an object on a card when the suction is cut off by the opening of switch 93.

The next switch which closes for a short dwell, as indicated between IV and V in FIGURE 5, is switch 96, disposed in a line 122 in series with the solenoid 80 controlling the catch member 78 (FIGURE 3) and a normally closed vacuum switch 123. If the suction nozzle fails to pick up a decorative object, there results insufficient vacuum increase to open switch 123, whereby subsequent closing of the contacts 96 energizes solenoid 80 causing the catch member 78 to stop the depositing motion of the suction nozzle. Under normal circumstances, however, an object is picked up by the nozzle causing a vacuum increase in the line sutficient to open switch 123, thereby rendering ineffective the closing of switch 96. The purpose of closing switch 96 is to check whether the suction nozzle is carrying an object to a card and prevent it from contacting an adhesive spot if it is not marrying an object.

The next switch to close is switch 92 connected in a line 124 in series with a latching coil LC of a latching relay LR. Line 124 is connected in parallel with a release coil RC of relay LR disposed in a line 125 in series with the card detecting switch 82, see FIGURE 3, and a cam actuated switch 91. Relay LR serves to close contacts LR-I in line 120, and during the short dwell between VI and VII in FIGURE 5, the relay is energized for purposes of resetting contacts LR-1, if necessary, so that the suction valve will work during the next cycle of rotation when the contacts 93 are closed. Contacts LR-l may have been previously opened by energizing the release coil RC in line 125, in a manner to be discussed hereinafter.

As indicated at VIII in FIGURE 5, the next switch to be actuated is the normally closed switch 82 in line 125. If a card is present at the adhesive applying station, switch 82 is open and regardless of a subsequent closing of switch 91, the release coil RC will not open contacts LR-l. If however, no card is present, so that card detector switch 82 is closed, a subsequent closing of the switch 91 energizes the release coil RC, thereby opening contacts LR-l, preventing operation of the suction valve during the next half cycle. Without suction during the object receiving position of the suction nozzle on the next half cycle, no object is picked up unnecessarily. As a result, no object is deposited on the anvil at the object applying station when a no card condition is present. When switch 92 is closed and latching coil LC is energized, during the cycle following the no card condition at the adhesive applying station, contacts LR-1 are reset to their latching coil LC must be energized just prior to the stopping of each card whereby suction will be available on the next revolution if a card has been present at the adhesive applying station.

The next switch to be closed is switch 95 disposed in a line 126 in series with a solenoid 127, which serves to control cylinder and piston motors 128, illustrated in FIGURE 2. Motors 128 have piston rods 128a which project upwardly in the path of the cards upon energization of the solenoid 127, whereby the cards are positively stopped at the desired position just prior to the stopping of the conveyor. The dwell switch 95 lasts until the probe and suction nozzle have reached their ad-' hesive and object applying positions for depositing adhesive and an object on a card. At X in FIGURE 5, the conveyor stops. The suction valve cut off is indicated at XI in FIGURE 5, and coincides with the low spot or applying position of the suction nozzle.

During the dwell period of switch 95, cylinder and piston motors 128 positively hold a card in position, and switch 91 in line is closed to check for the presence of a card. If a card is at the adhesive applying station, the card sensor switch 82 is open and the release coil RC is not energized. If, however, no card is present when the switch 91 closes, then a circuit is completed through switch 91 and the normally closed switch 82 to energize coil RC, opening latching relay contacts LR-l in line 120. The result is that when a no card condition is present at the object applying station on the next revolution, when the suction valve controlling switch 93 is closed, no suction is available since contacts LR-l are open. The dwell period for the switch 91 is indicated between XII and XIII in FIGURE 5. XIII also indicates the end of the dwell period for switch 95, whereupon solenoids 127 controlling the cylinder and piston motors 128 are deenergized to release the cards for forward motion. During this time, however, the conveyor is stopped, as indicated by the sequence line 129 in FIGURE 5. At this point, all of the earns 84 through 89 have ridden off switch 91 through 96, whereupon the machine is in condition for another rotation of main shaft 17.

It will be readily understood from the foregoing that one complete cycle of operation includes two complete rotations of main shaft 17. During the first rotation of the shaft, a spot of adhesive is applied to a card and check is made for the no card condition. During the second rotation of the shaft, an adhesive spot is applied to a subsequent card, a decorative object is applied to the first card, or is prevented therefrom if there is either a no card condition at the object applying station, or the suction nozzle has failed to pick up a decorative object.

The invention has been described in connection with a particular preferred embodiment, but is not limited to same. Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus for applying objects to sheet members and comprising: I i an adhesive container having a supply of adhesive therein;

means for applying adhesive spots to said sheet members and including an adhesive applicator movable between a position for receiving a quantity of adhesive from said container to a position for dispen sing an adhesive spot on a said sheet member; means for positioning said applicator between said receiving and dispensing positions; v 7

means for applying said objects to said adhesive spots on said sheet members; and,

. means forvconveying said sheet members sequentially to said adhesive applying means and said object applyingmeans for receiving said adhesive spots and said objects.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including:

means for maintaining the adhesive in said container in a molten state.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said maintaining means maintains said adhesive at a temperature above room temperature, and means for maintaining at least the portion of said applicator, that contacts and receives a said quantity of adhesive, at a temperature approximately that of said adhesive in said container.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said applicator has one end thereof adapted to receive adhesive when dipped into said adhesive in said container and adapted to dispense adhesive on said sheet members when positioned in said dispensing position, said one end of said applicator being of sufiiciently smaller cross sectional area than that of said objects to be applied to said sheet member so that said adhesive spots applied to said sheet member present adhesive areas initially smaller than the contact areas of said objects.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 including means for adjusting said container whereby the head of adhesive contained therein may be maintained as desired.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including:

an object supplier including a plurality of said objects;

said object applying means including an object applicator movable between a position for receiving a said object from said object supplier to a position for dispensing a said object on a said adhesive spot on a sheet member; and,

means for positioning said object applicator between its said receiving and dispensing positions.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 including means for synchronizing the operation of said positioning means for said adhesive applicator and said object applicator, whereby said applicators are in their respective receiving and dispensing positions at substantially the same time.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 including means for stopping said conveying means each time said applicators are in their respective dispensing positions.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said object applicator includes suction means for picking up an object by suction force from said object supplying means when in said receiving position and holding said picked up object in place on said applicator while it is displaced to the said dispensing position, and suction control means for controlling said suction force so as to dispense said picked up object onto a said adhesive spot when said applicator is in its dispensing position.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said object applicator includes resilient means for applying resilient force to said picked up object when dispensing same on a said adhesive spot.

11. Adhesive applying means adapted for applying adhesive spots to sheet members for subsequent receipt of objects to be secured on said sheet members by said adhesive and comprising:

an adhesive container having a supply of adhesive therein;

means for maintaining said adhesive at a temperature above room temperature;

an adhesive applicator movable between a position for receiving a quantity of adhesive from said container to a position for dispensing an adhesive spot on said sheet member; means for positioning said applicator between said receiving and dispensing means; and, means for maintaining said applicator at a temperature approximately that of said adhesive. 12. A method of applying objects to sheet members and comprising the steps of:

providing a supply of objects to be applied to said sheet members; providing a supply of adhesive for adhering said objects to said sheet members; maintaining said adhesive at a temperature greater than that of room temperature; conveying said sheet members sequentially to first and second stations; providing an adhesive applicator; heating said applicator to a temperature substantially that of said adhesive; utilizing said heated applicator to receive a quantity of adhesive from said adhesive supply and to apply an adhesive spot to each sheet member when at said first station; and, applying a said object from said supply of objects to said sheet member at a said adhesive spot when said sheet member is at the second position. 13. A method as set forth in claim 12 including the steps of:

alternately stopping and continuing the conveyance of said sheet members; obtaining adhesive from said adhesive supply while substantially simultaneously therewith obtaining an object from said supply of objects while continuing the conveyance of said sheet members; and, applying, when said conveyance of said sheet members is stopped, an adhesive spot to a said sheet member at the first station while substantially simultaneously therewith applying, at said second station, an object to an adhesive spot previously applied to another said sheet member. 14. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said object is applied to said other sheet member, at the adhesive spot thereon, with resilient force.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,793,082 2/1931 Goss 118-212 2,360,973 10/1944 Pedersen 156-548 X 2,782,756 2/ 1957 Hunt 118-211 2,958,437 11/1960 Mengis 156-519 3,162,546 12/ 1964 Jefferys 118-212 3,226,910 1/l966 StelTey 156-302 X 3,410,713 11/1968 Schneidereit 118-211 X 3,412,707 11/1968 West 118-212 X HAROLD ANSHER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

